The National tribune., 1887-06-30

association, Dr. II. T. Adams, Of Woodburn
called the meeting to order and delivered the
following address:
Comrades Of dte Association Of Union ErPrisoners
Of War Of Northeastern Indiana:
We have met together to-day 10 perfect an
Comrades, we all remember vividly our expert
ence Of prison life nearly quarter OF century
Tuscaloosa, Audersonvie, Millen and other rebel
prison-pens indellibly printed upon our mEds,
never TO be effaced while life recollection shall
last The horrible starvation and cruelties we ex-
perienccd there have left their stamp upon our
bodily tenement. never 20 be effaced. We bore 1t
all OVERWHELMINGLY, when word OF treason
would have saved us. Our comrades died by thou
sands rather than accept the only alternative re-
lease and the rebel army. Our gallant dead were
made of Steiner stuff then 10 turn their backs upon
the old flag We, the war-worn and broken-down
survivors, were made OF the true steel and belonged
10 the true breed, that would rather have starved
10 death and been eaten by graybacks. a thousand
times than desert our solemn trust-the Union and
the star Spangled Banner. But comrades, IL does
seem that, after all these years. our fidelity should
now receive some recompense from a country now
prosperous beyond all precedent and which would
have been dsmembered and destroyed 10y traitors
but for us and our comrades OF the navy. III does
seem that the victims OF the Southern prlson-pens
should by all means, be recognized and rewarded
with pensions and, comrades II Is my opinion they
be. aud will be- in the near future but we must
work ourselves We must give Congress to under
stand that IL is but act of justice, and they must
pass a law placing every Union ex-prisoner In all
met and propose TO meet until fair and equal
right and justice is done us.
After listening to the Presidents address the
association elected the following officers for the
ensuing year: President, Capt. S. l.. Lewis, "
p, John Soliday; Sec, John W. Vordermark (;
Treas, John A. Provine; Executive Commit
tee, ]. w. Clark l.. Schirmeyer, j. Il. Slusser,
II. c. Yontz, Philip Noel J. w. Linck, Geo. ID.
Cleveland.
After the election OF officers a committee was
appointed 10 memorabilia Congress in the in
terests Of the association. Comrade John w.
Vordermark was elected chairman. After
some discussion the first Monday in October
next was chosen as the date of the next meet
ing, which will be held at Fort Wayne. A
resolution was then brought forward and passed
instructing the President of the association TO
communicate with the State Association with a
view to a union with that body. After this
| speeches and "reminiscences were the order OF
the day, until the Committee on Resolutions,
after deliberation, returned and reported as
follows:
Whereas many officers soldiers and sailors OF
the Federal army and navy were confined in So
called Confederate prisons for unusual length OF
time suffering great hardships and contracting dis
ease hard TO prove under existing pension laws
therefore, be IL
ResoIped, That the pension bill which was in
dorsed by the National Association at it's annual
meeting at Cleveland, o., Sept 10 and DO 1883 and
was introduced in the United States Senate by
Hon. John A. Logan Dec. 4. 1883. and is known as
Senate Bill "a, OF also introduced in the House
of Representatives Dec IL, 1888, by Hon. James ;.
Robinson, and Is known as House Bill llS9 Is here
| by Endorsed by the ExPrisoners of War Associa-
ton of Northern Indiana. And be 1t further
Resolued, That we call upon our Representatives
| in Congress 10 secure the enactment OF an addi-
tional section. giving to all ex-prisoners OF war
who confined in the rebel prisons for period
of six months or more a land warrant of l6o acres
Resolved. That copy of the above resolutions be
sent TO Congressman. and that they be pub
lished In THE NATIONAL TRIBUE, OF Washington
DO.
| J. W. VoRDERMARK,